Arne Slot: Dominik Szoboszlai is only a stop-gap winger for Liverpool

With Liverpool forced to adapt in Mohamed Salah's absence, Slot deployed a 4-2-3-1 shape in possession, placing Szoboszlai on the right side of the attacking trio.

The approach shifted without the ball, with Szoboszlai dropping into a deeper position to form a 4-3-3 structure. This adjustment allowed Liverpool to maintain greater compactness defensively and ensured smoother transitions when recovering possession.

The Hungarian's industry and awareness provided valuable protection ahead of Joe Gomez, who operated at right-back.

Slot's tactical blend proved effective, with Liverpool benefitting from the added stability Szoboszlai offered in wide areas. His work rate and positioning improved the team's overall defensive balance, helping compensate for the loss of Salah's attacking threat.

"I don't see Dominik as a right-winger for the long-term future in this club," said Slot.

"Dominik is a midfielder who could help us out as a full-back or as a winger if needed, but he's more of a midfielder than he is a full-back or winger.

"I don't expect to be in February and March and every single game Dominik is playing there.

"A thing that was important for me to do is that in some other games we were going more man-to-man than in this game, so the last line of four could stay more in place.

"Dominik, as we all know, runs for two and that was helpful in that game, [but] in the long-term future, we should have wingers playing as wingers, midfielders playing as midfielders and defenders playing as defenders."